The parts of the human brain and their functions

Image: Psychology and Mind

Our brain is one of the biggest differences we have with the rest of the animals, since its great development means that we can perform an immense amount of actions that other living beings cannot they can. The evolution of our brain has gone hand in hand with the origin of the human being and has allowed us to stand out from other species as well as create great civilizations. Due to the great importance of this body, today in this lesson from a PROFESSOR we are going to talk about the parts of the human brain and their functions.

Index

1. The main functions of the brain
2. Developing parts of the brain
3. Telencephalon, one of the parts of the brain
4. Diencephalon
5. The brain stem and neurons

The brainIt is one of the most important organs of human beings. It is the most important organ of the central nervous system, that is, of the part of the body that manages external stimuli. The evolution of the brain has been parallel to that of primates and hominids and has been characterized by a constant growth of the brain in relation to the size of the body.

The great importance of the brain lies in the large number of functions it performs, which can be performed by one part of the brain or by several. Some functions carried out by this body are the following:

• Motor function: The brain causes us to be able to move and perform numerous actions.
• Sensation of pain: The brain is responsible for us to feel pain, through numerous receptors we receive a stimulus, in this case the pain, and the brain is in charge of processing it so that we notice that sensation unpleasant.
• Cognitive abilities: The brain allows us to get excited.
• Language: The great development of the brain allows us to use language, a capacity that almost only humans can use, and without which our species could not be understood as it is.

Image: stimulationcognitive.info

To continue with this lesson on the parts of the human brain and their functions we must talk about the parts of the brain during the development phase of the embryo, that is to say, those that are from the origin in our central nervous system.

• The first of these parts is the rhombencephalon, which is the upper part of the spinal cord. When the brain evolves this part becomes the cerebellum, the brainstem bridge and the medulla oblongata. It controls various functions of the brain, such as breathing.
• The second part is the midbrain, located above the rhombencephalon, its functions are mainly to serve as a bridge between the rhombencephalon and the forebrain, and to perform functions for the survival of the human being.
• The last part is the forebrain, located in the anterior part of the brain, and whose functions are creativity and the use of language. This part is the one that later evolves in the diencephalon and the telencephalon.

The three parts that we have just learned evolve at the same time as the human body grows, creating new parts. In this section of the lesson we are going to talk about the parts that arise from these three and what are the functions they have in our body.

The first of these parts is the telencephalon, arising from the forebrain, which occupies most of the brain. Three major components can be seen in this part, which are:

• Cerebral cortex: In it is the information to carry out complex mental processes, since the information that the rest of the nervous system has already processed reaches this area. The cortex is divided into two hemispheres, and these in turn into numerous lobes, which are the following: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, and the insula.
• Basal ganglia: The basal ganglia are located below the cerebral cortex, and their function is to allow complex tasks to be carried out easily, such as writing or speaking.
• Limbic system: It is a set of structures whose function is to regulate emotions and respond physiologically to external stimuli. Among its parts is the hippocampus, which deals with memories and learning, and brain tonsil which takes care of emotional memory.

The second of these parts is the diencephalon, arising from the forebrain, and that it is below the telencephalon. Its parts are essentially the thalamus and the hypothalamus. The thalamus is the area where all the information received by the senses is sent, and which distributes this information to other parts of the nervous system.

The hypothalamus It is in charge of homeostasis, that is, that the human body remains in balance, for example of temperature.

Image: Slideshare

Another part of the brain is the brain stem, that is, the part that unites the brain and spinal cord. Its job is to maintain vital functions, such as breathing or heart movement. It is made up of three parts:

• Midbrain: Located below the diencephalon, it is responsible for communication between the brain stem and the upper part of the brain.
• Brainstem bridge: It allows us to maintain balance.
• Medulla oblongata: It is the link between the brain and the spinal cord. It is essential for life.

The last part of the brain is the cerebellum, one of the places with the highest concentration of neurons. Its functions include maintaining balance when walking and regulating complex movements.

Image: Slideshare

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